NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
2014 College Football Preview
OFFENSE - 6
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 5
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Tommy Rees-QB, TJ Jones-WR, Zack Martin-OT, Chris Watt-OG, George Atkinson-RB (NFL), Troy Niklas-TE (NFL)
DEFENSE: Kona Schwenke-NG, Prince Shembo-OLB, Dan Fox-ILB, Carlo Calabrese-ILB, Bennett Jackson-CB, Louis Nix-NG (NFL), Stephon Tuitt-DE (NFL)
QB Everett Golson
Receiver / Secondary

The only significant loss at receiver is TJ Jones. The Irish used a ton rotating personnel to run pass routes so there's a deep well of talent here. The one area where ND excelled in 2013 was in pass coverage, which is quite a change up compared to the days before Coach Kelly arrived in South Bend. The good news is that the successful trend is not likely to be altered heading into next season. Like the receivers there is upwards of seven different defensive backs that will continue to see the field.

Quarterback / Defensive Front

With quarterback Tommy Rees graduating the big question now is whether 2012 starter Everett Golson, who has been admitted back into school, can keep his academic progressions where they need to be while shaking off the rust of sitting out a year. If Golson can start to duplicate the same success that helped the Irish get to the National Championship Game two years ago they should be in fine shape. Notre Dame however had much difficulty shutting down opponent's running games. Huge nose guard Louis Nix declared for the NFL and Stephon Tuitt soon followed. The linebackers have been gutted. Coaches have to get this defensive front in order while accomplishing the task with some unproven players.

LB Jaylon Smith
 
NOTRE DAME 2014 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Everett Golson-Jr (6-0, 200) Malik Zaire-RFr (6-0, 208)
RB Tarean Folston-So (5-9, 207) Cam McDaniel-Sr (5-10, 207) / Greg Bryant-RFr (5-10, 204)
WR Corey Robinson-So (6-4, 205) Williams Fuller-So (6-0, 171)
WR DaVaris Daniels-Jr (6-2, 203) Chris Brown-Jr (6-2, 191)
WR Amir Carlisle-Jr (5-10, 190) C.J. Prosise-So (6-1, 220)
TE Ben Koyack-Sr (6-5, 261) Mike Heuerman-RFr (6-4, 225)
OT Ronnie Stanley-So (6-6, 318) Colin McGovern-RFr (6-5, 313)
OG Steve Elmer-So (6-6, 317) Conor Hanratty-Jr (6-5, 309)
C Nick Martin-Jr (6-5, 295) Matt Hegarty-Jr (6-5, 300)
OG Christian Lombard-Sr (6-5, 315) John Montelus-RFr (6-4, 320)
OT Mike McGlinchey-RFr (6-8, 300) Hunter Bivin-RFr (6-5, 291)
K Kyle Brindza-Sr (6-1, 236) ..
 
NOTRE DAME 2014 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE Ishaq Williams-Sr (6-5, 271) Anthony Rabasa-Jr (6-3, 243)
DT Jarron Jones-So (6-5, 310) Chase Hounshell-Jr (6-4, 271)
DT Sheldon Day-Jr (6-2, 290) Justin Utupo-Sr (6-1, 290)
DE Romeo Okwara-Jr (6-4, 258) Isaac Rochell-So (6-3, 287)
OLB John Turner-So (6-1, 217) James Onwualu-So (6-1, 215)
MLB Jaylon Smith-So (6-2, 230) Doug Randolph-RFr (6-2, 240)
OLB Joe Schmidt-Sr (6-0, 230) Ben Councell-Jr (6-5, 254)
CB KeiVarae Russell-Jr (5-11, 190) Jalen Brown-Jr (6-1, 202)
CB Cole Luke-So (5-11, 190) Matthias Farley-Jr (5-11, 204)
S Austin Collinsworth-Sr (6-1, 205) Elijah Shumate-Jr (6-0, 213)
S Max Redfield-So (6-1, 194) Eilar Hardy-Jr (5-11, 201)
P Kyle Brindza-Sr (6-1, 236) ..

 

 

NOTRE DAME 2014 SCHEDULE

Aug. 30 Rice
Sep. 6 Michigan
Sep. 13 Purdue @Indianapolis, IN
Sep. 27 Syracuse @East Rutherford, NJ
Oct. 4 Stanford
Oct. 11 North Carolina
Oct. 18 at Florida State
Nov. 1 Navy @Landover, MD
Nov. 8 at Arizona State
Nov. 15 Northwestern
Nov. 22 Louisville
Nov. 29 at Southern California